While you are here…

If you are looking for something fun to do in the Upper Keys, check out these suggestions:

DOLPHIN COVE

Mile Marker 102 – Key Largo

(305) 451-4060

www.DolphinsCove.com

Swim with the dolphins in a natural lagoon at this marine education facility. Everglades tours and sunset cruises are also available for an additional charge. New this year is a “wade” program for children 3 years and up: cost is $125 and is good for the entire year.

Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; swims last 1 ½ hours. $165 per person; must be 7 years of age or older.

DOLPHIN PLUS

Mile Marker 99.5 – Key Largo

(305) 451-1993

www.DolphinsPlus.com

Get up close and personal with dolphins and sea lions, and learn more about them in a safe, natural, ocean water environment.

Open daily except Christmas, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; sessions last 1 ½ to 2 hours.

$125 per person for natural dolphin swim; $100 per person for sea lion swim; structured dolphin swim starting at $165 per person offseason, $185 per person peak season; Cuddle with Castaway the Dolphin for $150; inquire about Key Largo resident and military discounts.

FLORIDA KEYS WILD BIRD CENTER

Mile Marker 93.6 – Key Largo

(305) 852-4486

www.FKWBC.org

This scenic, wooded rescue center is home to a variety of sick or injured birds, including hawks, owls, herons, pigeons, pelicans, and more; plus healthy wild birds like to hang out her, too. Hike the boardwalk trail to the bay and watch volunteers feed a flock of hungry pelicans every day at 3:30 p.m.

Open daily during daylight hours. Free, but donations are appreciated.

THEATER OF THE SEA

Mile Marker 84.5 – Islamorada

(305) 664-2431

www.TheaterOfTheSea.com

Watch dolphin, parrot, and sea lion shows; take a bottomless boat ride or guided marine life tour; swim and sunbathe at a private lagoon; stock up on souvenirs at the gift shop. Interactive programs include opportunities to meet or swim with dolphins and other sea creatures. The park is available for weddings and other evening events.

Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; first ticket sold at 9:30 a.m. last sold at 3:30 p.m. takes at least 2 ½ hours to see all the shows.

$25.95 adult; $18.95 children; age 2 and under free; interactive programs available for additional fee. Locals can purchase annual pass for price of general admission plus $10, and get a discount in the gift shop. Discount coupons also available.

HISTORY OF DIVING MUSEUM

Mile Marker 83 – Islamorada

(305) 664-9737

www.DivingMuseum.org

Museum founder Dr. Joe Bauer himself described the 6,000 square feet museum as “the world’s largest and most comprehensive collection of historical diving apparatus” and no one has disputed the assertion.

Open daily except some major holidays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (until 8 p.m. Fridays); tours take from 45 minutes to one hour.

Cost $12 adults; $6 children; under age 5 admitted free; $1 off for locals, seniors and veterans; also active military personnel and teacher’s discounts.

DAGNY JOHNSON KEY LARGO HAMMOCK BOTANICAL STATE PARK

On County Road 905 – one quarter mile north of U.S. 1’s mile marker 106.

(305) 451-1202

This park contains one of the largest areas of West Indian tropical hardwood hammocks in the world, and boasts 84 protected species of animals and plants. There is a self-guided nature walk, which includes a native plant butterfly garden and picnic tables. Guided tours are sometimes available. Six miles of backcountry trails require permits (currently closed for restoration work).

Open daily 8 a.m. until sundown.

Honor fee: $1.50 per person

JOHN PENNEKAMP CORAL REEF STATE PARK

Mile Marker 102.5 – Key Largo

(305) 451-1202

One of America’s most famous state parks, Pennekamp was the first underwater park in the country. Snorkel, scuba, and glass bottom boat trips run out to the reef daily. Fishing, kayaking, camping, swimming, picnicking, hiking and sunning plus a nature center with theater and aquarium, all make Pennekamp a “one-stop shop” for family fun in the Upper Keys.

Open daily, 8 a.m. until sundown.

Admission: $3.50 for one person in a vehicle and $6 for two: $0.50 for each additional person up to eight people. Annual passes good for all state parks are available for individuals and families.

WINDLYE KEY FOSSIL REEF GEOLOGICAL STATE PARK

Mile Marker 85.5 – Islamorada

(305) 664-2540

Stone from the quarries on Windley Key was used to construct Henry Flagler’s overseas railroad in the early 1900’s. Today, the walls of the 8-foot deep quarries reveal cross sections of age-old coral, and visitors can also view some of the machinery that helped dig them out. Hike the trails, enjoy a picnic and explore the park’s visitor’s center.

The Education Center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Tours available; call for details.

ROBBIE’S MARINA

Mile Marker 77.5 – Isalmorada

(305) 664-9814

www.Robbies.com

Serving as the concessionaire for nearby Lignumvitae and Indian Key State Parks, Robbie’s is an attraction in itself. Boat rentals, shops, the Hungry Tarpon restaurant and $3-a-bucket fish for the resident tarpon make it a fun stop along the highway even if you’re not heading for one of the parks. The Happy Cat runs $35 snorkel trips out to Alligator Reef or Cheeca Rocks three times a day, and there’s also a party boat for your fishing pleasure.

Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily

LIGNUMVITAE KEY BOTANICAL STATE PARK

Mile Marker 78.5

(305) 664-2540

The best way to experience this treasure is by ranger-led tour. Home to one of the Keys’ last remaining virgin tropical hardwood hammocks, Lignumvitae Key was purchased by a wealthy Miami chemist in 1919. On it, he built a house with a windmill for electricity and a cistern to hold fresh water. Today, the house serves as the park’s visitor’s center.

Paddlers and powerboaters welcome 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Monday. Ranger-led tours are 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Robbie’s runs a $20 per-person boat out for those tours; call (305) 664-9814.

INDIAN KEY HISTORIC STATE PARK

Mile Marker 78.5

(305) 664-2540

The Island’s dock was replaced over the summer, easing access to this historic island, once the Dade County seat. Swimming, sunbathing and hiking the trails and ruins are the chief activities. Well-placed signage explains the island’s story. There are no regularly scheduled boat trips or tours, but paddlers and power boaters are welcome. There are no services on the island.

Boat rentals are available from nearby Robbie’s Marina. Call (305) 664-2540

SAN PEDRO UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLGICAL PRESERVE STATE PARK

Mile Marker 78.5

(305) 664-2540

GPS Coordinates 24 degrees 51.802’N, 80 degrees 40.795’W mark the spot for great snorkeling or diving over the shipwrecked San Pedro, a 287-ton Spanish ship that sank in a hurricane in the 1700s. The remains of the wreck, which have been enhanced with replica cannons, an anchor and an information plaque, lie in only 18 feet of water.

LONG KEY STATE PARK

Mile Marker 67.5

(305) 664-4815

Anglers in search of the elusive “gray ghost” may just find one for the record books in the shallows off this pretty park. Bonefish abound here as do wildflowers, birds and fresh ocean breezes. Visitors can canoe through a chain of lagoons or walk two trails. The park features oceanfront campsites. Canoe rentals are also available. Interpretive programs and guided walks are available during season; call for schedule.

Open daily, 8 a.m. until sundown.

Admission: $3.50 for one person in a vehicle and $6 for two; $0.50 cents for each additional person up to eight.